Malta: UN Halts Evacuation Plan for Trapped Sailors After Gulf Attack
UN Evacuation Plan for Maltese Sailors on Hold After Gulf Attack
Malta’s maritime community held its breath this week as news broke of an attack on a cargo ship in the Strait of Hormuz, leaving 24 sailors, including three Maltese nationals, trapped aboard. The United Nations’ evacuation plan for the crew of the MV Hankuk Chemi has been put on hold following the incident, leaving families and friends on the island anxiously awaiting updates.
Attack in the Strait of Hormuz
On Wednesday, the South Korean-owned MV Hankuk Chemi was targeted by an unknown assailant while transiting through the Strait of Hormuz, a critical shipping lane connecting the Persian Gulf to the open ocean. The attack, which involved the vessel’s engine room catching fire, has been condemned by the international community, with the UN Security Council calling for the immediate and unconditional release of the crew.
The three Maltese sailors on board are part of a multinational crew of 24, hailing from South Korea, Indonesia, Vietnam, and the Philippines. Their families back home in Malta are desperate for news, with some taking to social media to share their concerns and plead for their safe return.
UN Evacuation Plan on Hold
The UN had been working on a plan to evacuate the crew, with the Maltese government confirming that it had been in touch with the UN and other international bodies to ensure the safe return of its citizens. However, following the attack, the evacuation plan has been put on hold, with the UN stating that it is now prioritizing diplomatic efforts to secure the crew’s release.
Malta’s Minister for Foreign and European Affairs, Evarist Bartolo, has reassured the families of the trapped sailors that the government is doing everything in its power to secure their release. “We are working tirelessly with our international partners to ensure the safe return of our citizens,” he said in a statement.
In Valletta, the capital city’s historic streets have been quieter than usual, with many residents expressing their solidarity with the families of the trapped sailors. A small vigil was held outside the Ministry for Foreign and European Affairs, with participants holding signs bearing messages of hope and support for the trapped crew.
Local Impact and Next Steps
The incident has highlighted the often-overlooked reality of Malta’s maritime community, with many families relying on seafaring jobs for their livelihood. It has also underscored the importance of diplomatic efforts in ensuring the safe return of Maltese citizens abroad.
As the situation in the Strait of Hormuz continues to evolve, the Maltese government has urged the international community to remain united in its efforts to secure the release of the MV Hankuk Chemi’s crew. With diplomatic efforts ongoing, the focus remains on the safe return of the three Maltese nationals and their fellow crew members.
For now, families and friends in Malta can only wait and hope, their eyes turned towards the distant waters of the Gulf, praying for the safe return of their loved ones.
